Kotli, Pakistan-administered Kashmir – As tensions continue to simmer along the Line of Control (LoC) following the recent military escalation between India and Pakistan, pro-independence Kashmiri leaders are urging a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kashmir conflict. Sardar Aman Kashmiri, a prominent leader affiliated with the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), has called for a mass protest march towards the United Nations (UNO) office in Kotli on May 15, 2025, to draw international attention to what he described as the “worst humanitarian crisis” unfolding in the region.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Sardar Aman condemned both India and Pakistan for perpetuating a violent status quo that continues to take a heavy toll on civilians across the divided territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Kashmiris are being killed on both sides of the LoC, while government officials celebrate false victories,” he said. “We want peace, not war. The only viable solution is the complete withdrawal of Indian and Pakistani forces from Jammu and Kashmir. Without the participation of genuine Kashmiri leadership, any talks or negotiations are unacceptable to us.”
The JKLF leader emphasized that Yasin Malik, the imprisoned Kashmiri leader, remains the only legitimate political figure who represents the will of the people. “Kashmiris do not accept any talks that exclude Yasin Malik or bypass their aspirations,” he added.
In preparation for the May 15 demonstration, the JKLF held a detailed organizational meeting in Kotli on May 11, involving ideological and regional representatives to coordinate logistics and mobilize support.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir must prepare for this march with full strength,” read an official JKLF statement issued after the meeting. “We believe the root cause of the ongoing Indo-Pak conflict is the unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir, and its resolution lies in politics, not in military confrontation.”
This planned protest marks another chapter in the region’s decades-long struggle for self-determination. The JKLF, which advocates for an independent and united Kashmir, reiterated its stance that international bodies, including the United Nations, have a moral responsibility to intervene and facilitate a peaceful and just resolution.
While the military standoff between India and Pakistan has momentarily eased following international diplomatic pressure, the human cost in Kashmir remains high. Local reports indicate dozens of civilian casualties, widespread destruction of property, and mass displacement in border areas over the past two weeks.
The upcoming march in Kotli is expected to draw thousands of participants, signaling a growing frustration among Kashmiris who feel marginalized in political processes dominated by Islamabad and New Delhi.
Sardar Aman concluded his statement with a call for international solidarity:
“The world must realize that peace in South Asia is impossible without justice in Kashmir. Our march to the UN office is a cry for peace, dignity, and the right to decide our own future.”
